DISCIPLINE

Students at Flatirons are expected to display appropriate behavior in all locations at all times.
Being responsible for one's behavior, being able to make appropriate choices and becoming independent learners are goals for all of us.  Teachers and parents must assume the responsibility for teaching behaviors and skills which will support these goals.  With this philosophy in mind, we have adopted a discipline policy which will assist children in becoming responsible learners.

Our discipline system is based on the four simple statements in the Flatirons Honor Code .  Students are expected to know these statements and adjust their behavior to comply with them.

Classroom teachers, in concert with their students, will generate their own list of behavior expectations.

As with all of us, sometimes a student will make a mistake in his or her choice of behavior.  In this case we expect the student to be able to develop a plan for improving the behavior.  In most cases this plan is related verbally to the intervening adult.  If the behavior warrants more intensive intervention or the behavior has become chronic, we expect the student to complete a Discipline Form that will be sent home to make the parents aware of the situation and to become aware of the efforts the student will be making to modify his or her behavior.  If the inappropriate behavior continues we will ask the student, the parents, the classroom teacher and, if appropriate, the principal, to meet to develop a plan that will result in improved behavior.

Occasionally, a student may be suspended or expelled from school for more serious behavior infractions.  One area that our students have inadvertently had problems with is carrying "lethal" weapons to school.  This occasionally happens with items brought from home for show and tell.  Please contact the school office ahead of time to discuss arrangements for any item that you may have questions about that could fall into this category.

Behavior interventions are based on a system of natural and logical consequences, not punishment.  At all times the student is involved in the discussions regarding the behavior improvement plan and consequences for his or her inappropriate behavior.  We have different levels of expectations for all students based on their developmental level and their ability to understand and comply with the expectations.

In intervening with students we expect the adults to follow our basic principles of management.

At Flatirons we believe:
1.  That the students self concept is always a prime consideration.
2.  The student is always left with a feeling that s/he has some control.
3.  An equal balance of consequences and empathy replace punishment.
4.  The student is required to do more thinking than the adult.
5.  The student has the responsibility to understand and follow the Flatirons Honor Code.